Table of Contents
India’s First Branded Train: Lucknow–Delhi Tejas Express to Run as ‘Sprite Tejas Express’
Lucknow–Delhi Tejas Express to Get a New Brand Name
- New Name: The Lucknow–Delhi–Lucknow Tejas Express will temporarily be given the name ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ under a new commercial branding deal.
- Branding Period: As per reports, train numbers 82501 and 82502 will use the new Sprite branding from August 19 to November 11, 2026.
- Route Covered: The branding will be used on the Tejas Express service running between Lucknow Junction and New Delhi.
- Station Announcements: During this period, the train will also be referred to by the Sprite name in announcements made at its starting station and other stations on the route.
- Different Branding: This is not the same as the normal advertisements seen at railway stations or inside trains. In this case, the company’s brand name will become part of the train’s name for a fixed period.
First Indian Train to Carry a Commercial Brand Name
- First Of Its Kind: This move is being described as the first time an Indian train will officially carry the name of a commercial brand.
- Earlier Advertisements: Indian Railways has already allowed companies to put advertisements on trains, railway stations and other railway properties.
- New Step: However, this arrangement goes one step further because the brand name will be used along with the train’s name and will also be included in railway announcements.
- New Opportunity: This could open a new way of advertising on Indian Railways, where companies may pay to get branding rights for particular trains and routes.
Branding Rights Given to Sprite for Six Months
- Six-Month Deal: Reports based on railway sources say that IRCTC has given train branding and advertising rights to Sprite for six months.
- Branding Dates: Even though the reported agreement is for six months, the actual ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ branding has been planned from August 19 to November 11, 2026.
- Inside And Outside: The branding is expected to include the company’s identity on allowed advertising spaces inside and outside the train.
- IRCTC Approval: The agreement was reportedly made through a Letter of Acceptance issued by IRCTC.
It Does Not Mean the Train Has Been Privatised
- No Ownership: The branding deal does not mean that Sprite will own or run the train.
- Who Operates: The Lucknow–Delhi Tejas Express continues to be operated by IRCTC.
- Railway Property: The tracks, stations and other railway infrastructure will continue to remain under the control of Indian Railways.
- Haulage Charges: IRCTC pays Indian Railways the required haulage charges for using railway facilities, including tracks and stations.
- Only Branding: In simple terms, the Sprite deal is a commercial advertising and branding agreement. It does not mean that the train has been handed over to Sprite or that the company has received control over it.
Why Has IRCTC Introduced This Model?
- More Income: The main reason behind this initiative is to increase non-fare revenue, which means money earned by the railway from sources other than passenger tickets.
- Existing Advertising: Indian Railways already earns money through different forms of advertising at railway stations, trains and other railway properties.
- Whole Train Branding: Giving a company the right to brand an entire train creates another possible source of income without directly increasing ticket prices.
- Possible Expansion: If this experiment works well, IRCTC could consider similar branding deals for other premium trains in the future.
Why Was the Tejas Express Chosen?
- Premium Train: The Lucknow–Delhi Tejas Express is a premium and fully air-conditioned train, which makes it a suitable choice for such a major branding exercise.
- Passenger Services: The train offers facilities such as food and beverages on board and infotainment services for passengers.
- Group Booking: The train also allows groups to book an entire AC Chair Car coach.
- Different Purposes: Such group bookings can be used by organisations and groups for events, company-related travel and other purposes.
- Started In 2019: The Lucknow–Delhi Tejas Express was launched in 2019 and became one of the important premium train services on this route.
What Does the Move Mean for Indian Railways?
- Commercial Use: The Sprite Tejas Express experiment shows that Indian Railways and IRCTC are looking for new ways to make better commercial use of railway assets.
- No Private Control: The initiative allows companies to use railway assets for advertising without giving them ownership or control of railway infrastructure.
- Extra Revenue: If the experiment is successful, branding trains could become another way for Indian Railways to earn non-fare revenue.
- Company Branding: The move may also attract more companies that want to connect their brands with popular trains and important railway routes.
- Public Transport Concern: At the same time, the move may lead to questions about how much commercial branding should be allowed in public transport.
- More Corporate Names: It could also lead to a situation where more trains may carry company or corporate brand names in the future.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Train: The train involved is the Lucknow–Delhi–Lucknow Tejas Express.
- New Name: For the branding period, it will be known as the Sprite Tejas Express.
- Train Numbers: The concerned train numbers are 82501 and 82502.
- Route: The train runs between Lucknow Junction and New Delhi.
- Brand Partner: Sprite is the company whose brand name will be used for the train.
- Operator: The train continues to be operated by IRCTC.
- Branding Dates: The reported branding period is from August 19 to November 11, 2026.
- Main Purpose: The main purpose is commercial advertising and earning additional non-fare revenue.
- First Instance: It is being described as the first scheduled Indian train to officially carry the name of a commercial brand.
- No Privatisation: The branding does not mean that Sprite will own, operate or control the train.
Important Questions
- Which Indian train is going to be temporarily renamed as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’?
- What are the train numbers of the Lucknow–Delhi Tejas Express that will carry the Sprite branding?
- From August 19 to November 11, 2026, why will the Tejas Express carry the Sprite brand name?
- Why has IRCTC started the commercial branding of the Tejas Express?
- Does the Sprite branding mean that the Tejas Express has been privatised or handed over to Sprite?
Conclusion
The ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ is a new step in the way Indian Railways and IRCTC are using trains for commercial purposes. Advertising on railway stations and trains has been happening for a long time, but allowing a commercial company’s name to become part of a train’s official name is a new development. Through this arrangement, IRCTC can get another source of non-fare income, while the train and railway infrastructure continue to remain under the existing railway system. The train will still be operated by IRCTC, and Sprite will only have branding and advertising rights.
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